Anchored resistance exercise device with sensor

ABSTRACT

An exercise system comprises an anchor and at least one extendible tether extending from a mooring on the anchor to a grip end. Each extendible tether is longitudinally movable between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration. At least one sensor alignment arm is movably coupled to the anchor, and a sensor is associated with each sensor alignment arm and extendible tether. The sensor alignment arm carries a first sensor element and the extendible tether carries a second sensor element. Each extendible tether is longitudinally movable relative to its sensor alignment arm and angular movement of the extendible tether relative to the anchor moves the sensor alignment arm to maintain longitudinal alignment between the first sensor element and the second sensor element. The sensor detects movement of the second sensor element past the first sensor element as the extendible tether moves between the extended configuration and the retracted configuration.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/162,653 filed on May 15, 2015, the teachings of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to exercise equipment, and moreparticularly to resistance exercise equipment.

BACKGROUND

Exercise systems that incorporate an anchor and one or more extendibletethers coupled to the anchor to provide exercise resistance have beenknown for quite some time. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,432,013 toHerbert, U.S. Pat. No. 5,362,295 to Nurge and U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2010/0041528 in the name of Todd disclose arrangementsin which elastic cords are attached to a belt so that a user can use thecords to provide exercise resistance to arm movements. However, thesearrangements do not gather data about exercise performance.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0142864 in the name ofSpears et al. describes an exercise system comprising a belt and tworesistive deformable elements connecting the belt to two handles.Although this document does describe collection of exercise data, itproposes a complicated sensor arrangement for achieving this purpose.

SUMMARY

Broadly speaking, exercise systems according to aspects of the presentdisclosure comprise an anchor, one or more extendible tethers coupled tothe anchor, one or more two-element sensors for detecting movement of arespective tether, and one or more sensor alignment arms for maintainingalignment between the two elements of a respective sensor.

In one aspect, an exercise system comprises an anchor and at least oneextendible tether coupled to the anchor and extending from a mooring onthe anchor to a grip end having a grip element. Each extendible tetheris longitudinally movable between an extended configuration and aretracted configuration. The exercise system further comprises at leastone sensor alignment arm movably coupled to the anchor and at least onesensor. Each sensor is associated with a respective sensor alignment armand extendible tether, and each sensor comprises a first sensor elementand a second sensor element. The first sensor element is carried by thesensor alignment arm and the second sensor element is carried by theextendible tether. Each sensor alignment arm is movably coupled to arespective one of the at least one extendible tether so that theextendible tether is longitudinally movable relative to the sensoralignment arm and angular movement of the extendible tether relative tothe anchor moves the sensor alignment arm relative to the anchor tomaintain longitudinal alignment between the sensor alignment arm and theextendible tether and thereby maintain longitudinal alignment betweenthe first sensor element and the second sensor element. Each sensor isconfigured or adapted to detect movement of the second sensor elementpast the first sensor element in at least a first longitudinal directionas the extendible tether moves between the extended configuration andthe retracted configuration.

In some embodiments, the exercise system has two opposed extendibletethers, two opposed sensor alignment arms and two sensors.

In some embodiments, the anchor is a belt, and each extendible tethermay comprise a resistance band. The exercise system may further compriseanchor points on the belt for receiving additional resistance bands.

In some embodiments, the sensor(s) may be coupled to an externalcomputing device. The external computing device may be releasablycarried by the anchor. In other embodiments, the sensor(s) may becoupled to a wireless transmitter, which may be carried by the anchor.

In one particular embodiment, the anchor is a belt and two extendibletethers in the form of resistance bands are secured to the belt so thatthe resistance bands extend from the user's hips or waist when the beltis worn. Such an embodiment has particular application to boxing andmixed-martial-art (MMA) training, although it is not limited to suchapplications and can be used in support of a wide variety of trainingactivities.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features will become more apparent from the followingdescription in which reference is made to the appended drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first exemplary exercise systemaccording to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the exercise system of FIG. 1, showingadditional resistance bands and mixed martial arts gloves releasablyreceived thereon;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the exercise system of FIG. 1, showingadditional resistance bands and weightlifting gloves releasably receivedthereon;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the exercise system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A shows a portion of the exercise system of FIG. 1 with anextendible tether and associated sensor alignment arm in a first angularposition with the extendible tether in a retracted configuration;

FIG. 3B shows a portion of the exercise system of FIG. 1 with theextendible tether and associated sensor alignment arm in the firstangular position with the extendible tether moving between the retractedconfiguration and an extended configuration;

FIG. 3C shows a portion of the exercise system of FIG. 1 with theextendible tether and associated sensor alignment arm in the firstangular position with the extendible tether in the extendedconfiguration;

FIG. 4A shows a portion of the exercise system of FIG. 1 with theextendible tether and associated sensor alignment arm in a secondangular position with the extendible tether in the retractedconfiguration;

FIG. 4B shows a portion of the exercise system of FIG. 1 with theextendible tether and associated sensor alignment arm in the secondangular position with the extendible tether moving between the retractedconfiguration and the extended configuration;

FIG. 4C shows a portion of the exercise system of FIG. 1 with theextendible tether and associated sensor alignment arm in the secondangular position with the extendible tether in the extendedconfiguration.

FIG. 5A shows a portion of a second exemplary exercise system accordingto an aspect of the present disclosure with an extendible tether andassociated sensor alignment arm in a first angular position with theextendible tether in a retracted configuration;

FIG. 5B shows a portion of the exercise system of FIG. 5A with theextendible tether and associated sensor alignment arm in the firstangular position with the extendible tether moving between the retractedconfiguration and an extended configuration;

FIG. 5C shows a portion of the exercise system of FIG. 5A with theextendible tether and associated sensor alignment arm in the firstangular position with the extendible tether in the extendedconfiguration;

FIG. 6A shows a portion of the exercise system of FIG. 5A with theextendible tether and associated sensor alignment arm in a secondangular position with the extendible tether moving between the retractedconfiguration and the extended configuration;

FIG. 6B shows a portion of the exercise system of FIG. 5A with theextendible tether and associated sensor alignment arm in the secondangular position with the extendible tether in the extendedconfiguration;

FIG. 7A is a bottom plan view showing a portion of the exercise systemof FIG. 5A with an extendible tether and associated sensor alignment armin the first angular position with the extendible tether in a retractedconfiguration;

FIG. 7B is a bottom plan view showing a portion of the exercise systemof FIG. 5A with the extendible tether and associated sensor alignmentarm in the first angular position with the extendible tether movingbetween the retracted configuration and an extended configuration; and

FIG. 7C is a bottom plan view showing a portion of the exercise systemof FIG. 5A with the extendible tether and associated sensor alignmentarm in the first angular position with the extendible tether in theextended configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which shows a first exemplary exercisesystem 100 according to an aspect of the present disclosure. In theexemplary exercise system 100 shown in FIG. 1, the anchor takes the formof a belt 102, which may be, for example, a suitably modifiedweightlifter's belt, which may be fastened around a user's waist inknown manner, for example by way of a buckle or hook-and-loop fastenerssuch as those offered under the trademark “Velcro”.

Two opposed extendible tethers 104 are coupled to the belt 102. In theillustrated embodiment, each of the extendible tethers 104 comprises aresilient cylindrical elastomeric resistance band which has been doubledover onto itself. Each of the extendible tethers 104 extends from amooring 106 on the belt 102. In the illustrated embodiment, each of theextendible tethers 104 is anchored to the belt 102 inside a sleeve 108having reinforced terminal cuffs 110 at each end, and thus the openingsof the sleeves 108 form the moorings 106 in that the sleeve openingsdefine the locations where the respective extendible tethers 104 arefree to make substantial angular movements relative to the belt 102.Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the extendible tethers 104 are notanchored to the belt 102 at the moorings 106 but can move longitudinallyin and out of the openings of the sleeves 108. In other embodiments, themoorings may be locations where the extendible tethers are anchored. Forexample, in an embodiment where the sleeve is omitted from the belt, themooring for each extendible tether may be the outermost position wherethat extendible tether is anchored to the belt. In the illustratedembodiment, each of the extendible tethers 104 comprises an individualresistance band, that is, there are two resistance bands: one for eachof the extendible tethers 104. In other embodiments, a single resistanceband may provide both of the extendible tethers, with each end of thesingle resistance band forming one of the extendible tethers; in such anembodiment the single resistance band may be doubled over as well. Instill further embodiments, multiple resistance bands may be used to formeach extendible tether. Each extendible tether may be anchored to thebelt at a single point or at multiple points.

Each of the extendible tethers 104 extends from a respective one of themoorings 106 on the belt 102 to a grip end 112 having a grip element. Inthe illustrated embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the grip elements take theform of flexible padded cylindrical handgrips 114. In other embodiments,the grip elements may be gloves, such as a mixed martial art (MMA) stylegloves 114A as shown in FIG. 1A or weightlifter's gloves 114B as shownin FIG. 1B, or boxing gloves. In yet further embodiments, the gripelements may take other forms, such as balls, wrist straps, handles orgrips of various types or even simple loops knotted into the extendibletethers 104. Each extendible tether 104 is longitudinally movablebetween an extended configuration and a retracted configuration. In theillustrated embodiment, since the extendible tethers 104 are formed byresilient resistance bands, the extended configuration is a stretchedconfiguration and the retracted configuration is an unstretched or“rest” configuration.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the moorings 106 is located at aposition on the belt 102 that will be proximal to the user's hips orwaist when the belt 102 is fastened about the user's waist. In thisembodiment, the extendible tethers 104 will be positioned to provideexercise resistance to various arm movements when a user grasps thehandgrips 114 or wears the gloves 114A, 114B. For example, a user mayperform arm movements such as punches used in boxing or punches andother strikes used in MMA, pressing or extension movements such aspush-ups or lateral raises, with the extendible tethers 104 providingresistance to those movements.

Continuing to refer to FIGS. 1, 1A, 1B and 2, two sensor alignment arms120 are movably coupled to the belt 102 adjacent to respective ones ofthe moorings 106. Thus, each sensor alignment arm 120 is associated witha respective one of the extendible tethers 104. In the illustratedembodiment, each sensor alignment arm 120 is coupled to the belt 102 bya rotatable coupling 122 (see FIGS. 2 and 4A to 4C) so that it canrotate relative to the belt 102, and is also able to flex toward andaway from the belt 102 and to twist in response to force applied to thesensor alignment arm 120 by the respective extendible tether 104. In theillustrated embodiment, the sensor alignment arms 120 are formed from asuitable flexible, resilient plastic to provide the desired flexibility;in other embodiments the sensor alignment arms may be substantiallyrigid and incorporate a flexible portion. In still further embodiments,the sensor alignment arms may be coupled to the belt by a ball joint orother coupling providing the required freedom of movement relative tothe belt, and may be flexible, substantially rigid, or a combinationthereof.

In addition, the exercise system 100 further comprises two sensors 124,with each sensor 124 associated with a respective sensor alignment arm120 and extendible tether 104. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment theexercise system has two opposed extendible tethers 104, two opposedsensor alignment arms 120 and two sensors 124, arranged as twoassociated groups, each group comprising one extendible tether 104, onesensor alignment arm 120 and one sensor 124. Each of the sensors 124comprises a first sensor element carried by the respective sensoralignment arm 120 and a second sensor element carried by the respectiveextendible tether 104. The sensor 124 is adapted to detect movement ofthe second sensor element past the first sensor element in at least afirst longitudinal direction. In the illustrated embodiment, each of thesensors 124 comprises a paired reed switch 126 and magnet 128, with thereed switch 126 being fixed to the respective sensor alignment arm 120and the magnet 128 being fixed to the respective extendible tether 104.FIG. 2 shows the mounting for the reed switches 126, which are locatedunder respective protective shrouds 130 (FIG. 1) on the sensor alignmentarms 120; the reed switches 126 are shown in dashed lines in otherFigures. Similarly, the magnets 128 are positioned inside mountings 129secured to the extendible tethers 104 and are shown in dashed lines inthe Figures. Thus, in this embodiment the reed switches 126 are thefirst sensor elements and the magnets 128 are the second sensorelements.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 3A to 4C. Each sensor alignment arm 120is movably coupled to the respective extendible tether 104 so that theextendible tether 104 is longitudinally movable relative to the sensoralignment arm 120 through the guide aperture 132. In the illustratedembodiment, each sensor alignment arm 120 has a guide aperture 132, andthe respective extendible tether 104 passes through the guide aperture132. The guide aperture 132 is large enough so that the extendibletether 104 is longitudinally movable relative to the sensor alignmentarm 120 through the guide aperture 132. The edges of the guide aperture132 are smoothly beveled to reduce resistance to longitudinal motion ofthe extendible tether 104 through the guide aperture 132. Optionally, asuitable bushing or bearing (not shown) may be positioned in the guideaperture 132 to facilitate sliding movement of the respective extendibletether 104; the second exemplary exercise system 200 described furtherbelow includes such a bearing. The guide aperture 132 is further sizedso that when the extendible tether 104 moves angularly relative to thebelt 102, the respective extendible tether 104 will engage the innersurface of the guide aperture 132 to pull the sensor alignment arm 120in a corresponding angular movement relative to the belt 102. Thus,angular movement of each extendible tether 104 and its associated sensoralignment arm 120 relative to the belt 102 will be substantially inunison (i.e. subject to any play between the extendible tether 104 andthe guide aperture 132). Any play between the extendible tether 104 andthe guide aperture 132 should be small enough to keep the reed switch126 and magnet 128 in longitudinal alignment. Accordingly, angularmovement of the extendible tether 104 relative to the belt 102 alsomoves the sensor alignment arm 120 relative to the belt to maintainlongitudinal alignment between the sensor alignment arm 120 and theextendible tether 104. This in turn maintains longitudinal alignmentbetween the reed switch 126 and the magnet 128. Therefore, when theextendible tether 104 moves between the extended configuration and theretracted configuration, the magnet 128 is constrained to move past thereed switch 126 and open the reed switch 126. Optionally, otherembodiments may have circuit configurations where movement of the magnet128 past the reed switch 126 closes the reed switch 126.

FIGS. 3A to 3C show an extendible tether 104 and the associated sensoralignment arm 120 in a first angular position relative to the belt 102and FIGS. 4A to 4C show an extendible tether 104 and the associatedsensor alignment arm 120 in a second angular position relative to thebelt 102. FIGS. 3A and 4A show the extendible tether 104 in theretracted (unstretched) configuration, with the magnet 128 disposedinwardly of the reed switch 126, relative to the belt 102. FIGS. 3B and4B show the extendible tether 104 moving between the retractedconfiguration and the extended (stretched) configuration, with themagnet 128 moving across the reed switch 126 to activate the reed switch126. FIGS. 3C and 4C show the extendible tether 104 in the extendedconfiguration, with the magnet 128 disposed outwardly of the reed switch126, relative to the belt 102.

Opening or closing (i.e. activating) the reed switch 126 provides anelectrical signal that the associated extendible tether 104 has movedbetween the extended configuration and the retracted configuration. Suchelectrical signals can be used to gather data about the manner in whichthe exercise system 100 is being used. For example, the electricalsignals may be used to count the number of repetitions (e.g. exercisesor strikes), measure the duration of each repetition or strike, and thetime between repetitions or strikes. For boxing or MMA training, theduration of a strike (the time between consecutive paired actuations ofthe same reed switch 126) can be used to calculate a strike velocityvalue. The gathered data can in turn be used for further calculations,such as estimating the number of calories burned during a given period.To facilitate this data gathering, the reed switches 126 may be coupledto an external computing device. In the illustrated embodiment, the reedswitches 126 are coupled by wires 134 (FIGS. 1, 1A, 1B) to a wirelesstransmitter 136, which, when a reed switch 126 is activated, transmitswireless signals to an external computing device in the form of awireless cyclocomputer console 140 that uses the wireless signals todetermine and display performance data, such as calories burned, numberof repetitions (e.g. exercises or strikes), duration of each repetitionor strike, time between repetitions or strikes and strike velocityvalues. The wireless transmitter 136 is carried by the belt 102; inparticular, the wireless transmitter 136 is secured to the sleeve 108and covered by a protective pad 144. The wires 134 pass through thesleeve 108 and emerge from an aperture therein to reach the wirelesstransmitter 136; the portions of the wires 134 extending between theterminal cuffs 110 and the reed switches 126 are covered by flexibleprotective sheaths 148. The cyclocomputer console 140 is also carried bythe belt 102; in the illustrated embodiment the cyclocomputer console140 is releasably mounted to the belt 102 by hook-and-loop fastenerssuch as those offered under the trademark “Velcro”.

Although in the illustrated embodiment the external computing device isa cyclocomputer console 140, in other embodiments the sensors maycommunicate with more sophisticated external computing devices, such asa smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop or other type of computerexecuting appropriate software, or other suitable types of processinghardware. For example, a smartphone or tablet may be provided with anapplication configured to run on the iOS or Android operating systems,or a desktop or laptop computer can be provided with appropriatesoftware configured for Windows or Mac OS operating systems. Anysuitable type of wireless transmission may be used, for example knownprotocols such as Wi-Fi, FM radio or Bluetooth may be used. Moreover,while in the illustrated embodiment the sensors are coupled to awireless transmitter, in other embodiments they may be coupled directlyby wire to a suitable computing device or other suitable types ofprocessing hardware.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 5A to 7C, which show a portion of asecond exemplary exercise system 200 according to the presentdisclosure. The second exemplary exercise system 200 shown in FIGS. 5Ato 7C is similar to the first exemplary exercise system 100 shown inFIGS. 1 to 4C, with like reference numerals denoting correspondingfeatures except with the prefix “2” instead of “1”. Hence, in the secondexemplary exercise system 200, the belt is denoted by reference 202, theextendible tethers are denoted by reference 204, and so on.

The second exemplary exercise system 200 shown in FIGS. 5A to 7C differsfrom the first exemplary exercise system 100 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4C inthe structure and arrangement of the alignment arms 220 and in themanner in which the sensors 224 are carried. As with the first exemplaryexercise system 100, the sensors 224 of the second exemplary exercisesystem 200 may communicate with a cyclocomputer, or with moresophisticated external computing devices, such as a smartphone, tablet,laptop, desktop or other type of computer executing appropriatesoftware, or other suitable types of processing hardware.

As noted above, the second exemplary exercise system 200 incorporates arotatable bearing 258 in each of the guide apertures 232; the bearings258 may each be, for example, a coil spring that can be threaded ontothe outer edge of the respective alignment arm 220 at the distal end 268thereof as shown.

In addition, in the second exemplary exercise system 200 each of thefirst sensor elements, that is, the magnets 228, are mounted onrespective sensor carriers 260 that are in turn carried by therespective extendible tethers 204. The sensor carriers 260 are curved,with the magnets 228 disposed in the outwardly facing concavity so as tobe positioned between the sensor carriers 260 and the extendible tethers204; the magnets 228 are secured in an enclosure 262. The sensoralignment arms 220 are formed from a suitable flexible, resilientplastic, with the distal portions (the portions furthest from the sleeveend cuffs 220) being reinforced so as to be more rigid (e.g. a 2:1ratio) than the proximal portions (the portions closest to the sleeveend cuffs 220). As best seen in FIGS. 7A to 7C, the shrouds 230 whichprotect the reed switches 226 take the form of sloped or curved guideramps which can serve as travel surfaces for the sensor carriers 260when the sensor alignment arms 220 are flexed outwardly away from thebelt 202. In the second exemplary exercise system 200, the sensoralignment arms 220 each incorporate a guide tube 263 and a divider post264 (shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B) extends into each guide tube 263 toenforce separation between the doubled-over strands of the resistancebands that form the extendible tether 204. The divider post 264 may bean extension of part of the rotatable coupling that rotatably securesthe sensor alignment arms 220 to the belt 202.

Each of the sensor carriers 260 has two pairs of side-by-side tetheropenings 266 arranged in opposed relation to one another at the ends ofthe sensor carriers 260. As with the first exemplary exercise system100, in the second exemplary exercise system 200, each of the extendibletethers 204 comprises a resilient cylindrical elastomeric resistanceband which has been doubled over onto itself; the strands of each of theresistance bands pass through the tether openings 266 in each ofrespective the sensor carriers 266. The outer diameter of the strands ofeach of the resistance bands will be larger when the respectiveextendible tether 204 is in the retracted, unstretched configurationthan when the respective extendible tether 204 is in the extended,stretched configuration. The tether openings 266 are sized, relative tothe variable outer diameter of the resistance band, so that as theextendible tether 204 moves between the retracted/unstretched (rest)configuration and the extended/stretched configuration, the outerdiameter of the resistance band is reduced from a size that forms aninterference fit with the tether openings 266 to a size that can slidewithin the tether openings 266. Thus, during an initial portion of theoutward stroke from the retracted/unstretched configuration to theextended/stretched configuration, each sensor carrier 260 will be fixedto and carried by the respective extendible tether 204 due to theinterference fit, and during a final portion of the outward stroke fromthe retracted/unstretched (rest) configuration to the extended/stretchedconfiguration, each sensor carrier 260 and its respective extendibletether 204 can move independently of one another. Conversely, during aninitial portion of the return stroke from the extended/stretchedconfiguration to the retracted/unstretched (rest) configuration, eachsensor carrier 260 and its respective extendible tether 204 can moveindependently of one another, and during a final portion of the returnstroke from the extended/stretched configuration to theretracted/unstretched (rest) configuration, each sensor carrier 260 willbe fixed to and carried by the respective extendible tether 204 due tothe interference fit. This brings the first sensor element (magnet 228)affixed to the sensor carrier 260 back to its initial rest or retractedposition, coupling with the second sensor element (reed switch 226).

Reference is now made to FIGS. 5A to 5C and FIGS. 7A to 7C. FIGS. 5A to5B and 7A to 7B show the initial portion of the outward stroke, duringwhich the sensor carrier 260 is carried outwardly by the extendibletether 204 due to the interference fit. FIGS. 5A and 7A show theextendible tether 204 in the retracted (unstretched) configuration, withthe magnet 228 disposed inwardly of the reed switch 226, relative to thebelt 202. FIGS. 5B and 7B show the extendible tether 204 moving betweenthe retracted configuration and the extended (stretched) configuration,with the magnet 228 moving across the reed switch 226 to activate thereed switch 226. FIGS. 5C and 7C show completion of the initial portionof the outward stroke, with the magnet 228 disposed outwardly of thereed switch 226, relative to the belt 202. At completion of the initialportion of the outward stroke, the outer diameter of the strands of theresistance band will have been reduced to a size that can slide withinthe tether openings 266, allowing the extendible tether 204 to continueto move toward the extended configuration during the final portion ofthe outward stroke even though further outward movement of the sensorcarrier 260 is obstructed by the curved distal end 268 of the sensoralignment arm 220. Conversely, during the initial portion of the returnstroke, the strands of the resistance band can slide within the tetheropenings 266 with little or no movement of the sensor carrier 260, andduring the final portion of the return stroke the strands of theresistance band will engage the tether openings 266 in an interferencefit so that the sensor carrier 260 is fixed to and carried by theextendible tethers 204 to return to its original position, as shown inFIGS. 5A and 7A. Thus, the sensor carrier 260 is trapped between thecurved distal end 268 of the sensor alignment arm 220 and the crest 270of the shroud 230 (or the guide tube 263), and reciprocates therebetweenas the extendible tether 204 reciprocates between the retractedconfiguration and the extended configuration. This facilitates movementof the magnet 228 across the reed switch 226 with each stroke even ifthe strokes are not of precisely the same length each time.

Although not shown in FIGS. 5A to 7C, the reed switches 226 may becoupled by wires to a wireless transmitter which, when a reed switch 226is activated, transmits wireless signals to an external computingdevice, or may be coupled directly by wire to a suitable computingdevice or other suitable types of processing hardware. For example, inone implantation of the second exemplary exercise system 200 the reedswitches 226 are coupled to a Bluetooth/Arduino wireless transmitterwhich conveys the user's activity to a smartphone executing anapplication that computes, displays and stores that activity.

In the illustrated embodiments, the magnets 128, 228 are carried by theextendible tethers 104, 204 and the reed switches 126, 226 are carriedby the sensor alignment arms 120, 220; this is one preferredconfiguration because it simplifies connection of the reed switch 126,226 to the wireless transmitter (e.g. wireless transmitter 136).However, this configuration may be reversed, with the reed switchcarried by the extendible tether and the magnet carried by the sensoralignment arm. Furthermore, while in the illustrated embodiments thesensors associated with each respective sensor alignment arm 120, 220and extendible tether 104, 204 each comprise a paired reed switch 126,226 and magnet 128, 228, this is merely one exemplary type of sensor.Any two-element sensor may be used as long as it is adapted to detectmovement of the second sensor element past the first sensor element inat least a first longitudinal direction as the extendible tether movesbetween the extended configuration and the retracted configuration. Forexample, in some alternative embodiments an optical sensor comprising anoptical detector such as a CMOS or CCD camera and a visible detectionelement such as a specialized marking may be used. Other alternativeembodiments may employ magnetic switches, mini magnetic switches, reedrelays, micro switches, conventional switches, proximity switches,electronic relays, momentary contact actuators, or limit switches.

For example, in one embodiment employing a physical switchingarrangement, each sensor alignment arm may include a guide slot, and aguide pin may be secured to the extendible tether, with the guide pinsliding along the guide slot as the extendible tether moves between theextended configuration and the retracted configuration. A physicalswitch can be positioned so that the guide pin will actuate the switchas the guide pin slides along the guide slot. Thus, in this alternateembodiment, the physical switches are the first sensor elements and theguide pins are the second sensor elements. In such an embodiment, thephysical switch may be, for example, a Z15G1744 micro switch. Becausethe guide pin will slide along the guide slot as the extendible tethermoves between the extended configuration and the retractedconfiguration, the extendible tether will be longitudinally movablerelative to the sensor alignment arm through the guide aperture. Whenthe extendible tether moves angularly, it will pull the guide pin intoengagement with the longitudinal edge of the guide slot so as to movethe sensor alignment arm and maintain longitudinal alignment between thesensor alignment arm and the extendible tether. This will in turnmaintain longitudinal alignment between the switch (first sensorelement) carried by the sensor alignment arm and the guide pin (secondsensor element) carried by the extendible tether.

In the illustrated embodiments, the belts 102, 202 are also providedwith anchor points in the form of rigid hooks 150, 250 secured to thebelts 102, 202 for receiving additional resistance bands. As shown inFIGS. 1A and 1B, additional resistance bands 152 may be coupled to thegrip elements, such as the gloves 114A, 114B and extend between the gripelements and the hooks 150 to supplement the resistance provided by theextendible tethers 104. As also shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, additionalresistance bands 154 may extend from the hooks 150 to separate, discretegrip elements 156, for example to provide for leg exercises. Other typesof anchor points may be used instead of hooks, for example loops orcarabiners. Each hook 150, 250 is rotatable so that its orientation isadjustable to accommodate the additional resistance bands (e.g.resistance bands 152, 154).

In the exemplary embodiments, the anchor takes the form of a belt 102,202; this is merely one exemplary type of anchor. In other embodiments,the anchor may be, for example, a chest strap, a vest, or a wall anchor,chair anchor or door anchor. Similarly, while resistance bands have beenused to provide the extendible tethers 104, 204 in the exemplaryembodiments, in other embodiments other types of extendible tethers maybe used. For example, the extendible tether may be a retractable cableon a resistance flywheel, in which case the extended configuration isone in which the cable is extended from the flywheel and the retractedconfiguration is one in which the cable is wound about the flywheel.

Moreover, while the exemplary embodiments described herein have includedtwo extendible tethers 104, 204 with respective associated sensors 124,224, it is contemplated that in other embodiments there may be only asingle extensible tether and associated sensor, or more than twoextendible tethers with respective associated sensors. For example,alternate embodiments may include four extendible tethers withrespective associated sensors, with two extendible tethers being for thearms and two being for the legs.

Moreover, an exercise system according to an aspect of the presentdisclosure may incorporate additional sensors, which may also be coupledto an external computing device. For example, a heart rate monitor maybe coupled to an external computing device, or additional sensors suchas accelerometers may be placed in or on the alignment arms and/or gripelements and coupled to an external computing device. Exercise systemsaccording to aspects of the present disclosure can accommodate one ormore sensors and/or a combination of sensor types such as but notlimited to accelerometers, gyroscopes, and position sensors to measureexpenditure of energy in calories and distinguish between types ofmovement and activity, for example to distinguish among various motionsand strikes, including punches such as upper cuts, crosses, hooks, andkicks such as round house, side kick, front kick, and exercises such aspresses, lateral raises, curls and so forth.

Thus, several embodiments have been described by way of example. It willbe apparent to persons skilled in the art that a number of variationsand modifications can be made without departing from the scope of theclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An exercise system, comprising: an anchor; atleast one extendible tether coupled to the anchor and extending from amooring on the anchor to a grip end having a grip element; eachextendible tether being longitudinally movable between an extendedconfiguration and a retracted configuration; at least one sensoralignment arm movably coupled to the anchor; at least one sensor, eachsensor being associated with a respective sensor alignment arm andextendible tether, each sensor comprising a first sensor element and asecond sensor element, wherein: the first sensor element is carried bythe sensor alignment arm; and the second sensor element is carried bythe extendible tether; each sensor alignment arm being movably coupledto a respective one of the at least one extendible tether so that: theextendible tether is longitudinally movable relative to the sensoralignment arm; and angular movement of the extendible tether relative tothe anchor moves the sensor alignment arm relative to the anchor tomaintain longitudinal alignment between the sensor alignment arm and theextendible tether and thereby maintain longitudinal alignment betweenthe first sensor element and the second sensor element of each sensor;each sensor being adapted to detect movement of the second sensorelement past the first sensor element in at least a first longitudinaldirection as the extendible tether moves between the extendedconfiguration and the retracted configuration.
 2. The exercise system ofclaim 1, wherein the anchor is a belt.
 3. The exercise system of claim2, wherein the exercise system has two opposed extendible tethers, twoopposed sensor alignment arms and two sensors.
 4. The exercise system ofclaim 3, wherein each extendible tether comprises a resistance band. 5.The exercise system of claim 4, further comprising anchor points on thebelt for receiving additional resistance bands.
 6. The exercise systemof claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is coupled to an externalcomputing device.
 7. The exercise system of claim 6, wherein theexternal computing device is releasably carried by the anchor.
 8. Theexercise system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is coupledto a wireless transmitter.
 9. The exercise system of claim 8, whereinthe wireless transmitter is carried by the anchor.